Color-Based Reaction Testing of Biological Materials

ABSTRACT

A biological material test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart are affixed to a lid portion of an all-in-one specimen cup to perform color-based reaction testing of collected biological specimens in an uncalibrated environment. After specimen collection, the lid portion is secured to a container portion of the specimen cup. The cup may then be rotated into an upside down position causing the specimen, under the force of gravity, to pass from the container portion and into a volume of the lid portion, such that the test strip is exposed to the specimen as it is received into the volume of the lid portion. An image of the exposed test strip and adjacently-located reference color chart may then be captured and processed to identify any color matches between the individual test pads on the test strip and the corresponding sequences of reference color blocks on the reference chart.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/409,922, filed on Nov. 3, 2010, and also claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/410,207, filed on Nov. 4, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to analyzing biologicalmaterials (e.g., urine, blood, saliva, feces, sweat and other biologicalmaterials) and more particularly to an all-in-one specimen cup that canbe used for collecting biological materials, such as urine, and forperforming color-based reaction testing of such biological materialsusing the same cup used to collect the specimen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Testing of biological materials may include the use of color-basedreaction testing, whereby a test pad is exposed to urine, blood, saliva,feces or sweat. For example, urinalysis is an array of tests performedon urine and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis.Urinalysis is used as a screening and/or diagnostic tool by virtue ofbeing able to detect substances or cellular material in the urineassociated with different metabolic and kidney disorders. For example,substances such as protein or glucose will begin to appear in the urinebefore patients are aware that they may have a problem.

Color-based reaction testing, such as urinalysis, is typically performedusing “dipsticks,” which are strips of plastic or sturdy paper to whicha series of reagent test pads have been affixed. Each reagent test padon the dipstick is chemically treated with a compound that is known tochange color in the presence of particular reactants. For example, inthe context of urinalysis, the dipstick will typically include reagentpads for detecting or measuring glucose, bilirubin, ketone (acetoaceticacid), specific gravity, blood, pH, protein, nitrite and leukocytes.

The process of testing biological materials involves first submerging orotherwise exposing the aforementioned dipsticks and affixed reagent padsto a subject's urine, saliva, blood, feces, or sweat. If the urinecontains quantities of the particular reactants, one or more of thereagent test pads will change color as a result. The magnitude of thechange is further indicative of the amount of the particular reactantsthat are present.

Urinalysis dipsticks, for example, are typically accompanied with areference color chart for evaluating test pad color changes followingexposure to urine. The typical reference color chart will include aspectrum of possible colors associated with each corresponding reagentpad on the dipstick, thereby allowing a healthcare provider to “read”the test results with the naked eye. However, manually comparingdifferent shades of a given color can be difficult to perform and leadto unacceptably lower accuracy. Thus, it is preferable for healthcareproviders to use a specialized electronic reader to eliminate thesubjectivity of visual color interpretation, thereby making thecolor-based reaction testing process simpler and more reliable. Suchelectronic readers are highly-calibrated devices that typically useeither reflectance photometers or charge coupled device (CCD) imagesensors. Specifically, the image-capturing environment has to beprecisely controlled across different tests since even slight variationsin ambient light, test pad location or image-capturing angle can lead toinaccurate results. Moreover, there is even substantial variation acrossdifferent CCD sensors meaning that each reader has to be individuallycalibrated.

There are several drawbacks with the prior art electronic readers. Forexample, they are complex and highly calibrated devices that aretypically too expensive for most smaller laboratories to use. Moreover,since they have to be so highly calibrated, such prior art devices areclosed, non-mobile devices, meaning that the resulting test data is notreadily portable and that the actual test has to be performed whereverthe electronic reader happens to be located. Additionally, the use ofboth collection cups and separate individual test strips is inconvenientand difficult to administer, whether in the home by the patient or in ahigh-volume laboratory where efficiently processing patient samples isat a premium. Therefore, there is a need to provide a more accurateand/or convenient alternative to performing color-based reaction testingof such biological materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed and claimed herein is an all-in-one cup and method ofperforming color-based reaction testing of biological materials usingthe all-in-one cup. In one embodiment, the all-in-one cup comprises acontainer portion configured to receive a biological specimen, and a lidportion having a flat side and being attachable to the containerportion. The lid portion has a volume to receive the biological specimenunder at least a force of gravity, and further includes a base with ahole disposed therein. The all-in-one cup also includes a color-basedreaction test strip having a plurality of test pads and being affixed toan inner surface of the flat side of the lid portion. The all-in-one cupfurther includes a reference color chart affixed on either the innersurface or an outer surface of the flat side of the lid portion in anarea adjacently-located to the test strip. The all-in-one specimen cupis configured to pass the biological specimen, at least under the forceof gravity in response to being turned upside down, from the containerportion through the hole in the base of the lid portion such that thetest strip is exposed to the biological specimen as it is received intothe volume of the lid portion.

Additionally, the disclosed and claimed method of performing color-basedreaction testing of biological materials using the above-describedall-in-one specimen cup includes capturing digital image information ofan exposed test strip and the reference color chart in an uncalibratedenvironment, where the exposed test strip is the test strip affixed tothe inner surface of the lid portion of the all-in-one specimen cupafter being exposed to the biological specimen. The method also includeslocating first image data (having color information) within the digitalimage information corresponding to each of the plurality of test pads.The method then includes locating second image data (also having colorinformation) within the digital image information corresponding to eachof the plurality of color blocks on the reference color chart. Finally,the method includes matching color information from the first image datato corresponding color information from the second image data, andgenerating test results based on such matching operation.

Also disclosed and claimed herein is a method of performing color-basedreaction testing of biological materials using an all-in-one specimencup, which includes providing a biological specimen into a containerportion of the all-in-one specimen cup, and then securing a lid portionto the container portion, where the lid portion has a volume to receivethe biological specimen under at least a force of gravity through a holedisposed in a base of the lid portion. The lid portion further includesa color-based reaction test strip, having a plurality of test pads,affixed to an inner surface of a flat side of the lid portion, and alsoincludes a reference color chart affixed on either the inner surface oran outer surface of the flat side of the lid portion in an areaadjacently-located to the test strip. The method further includesrotating the all-in-one cup until to an upside down position, therebycausing the biological specimen, under the force of gravity, to passfrom the container portion through the hole in the base of the lidportion such that the test strip is an exposed test strip by virtue ofcoming into contact with the biological specimen as it is received intothe volume of the lid portion. Thereafter, the method includes capturingdigital image information of the exposed test strip and the referencecolor chart in an uncalibrated environment, and then locating firstimage data (having color information) within the digital imageinformation corresponding to each of the plurality of test pads, andlocating second image data (having color information) within the digitalimage information corresponding to each of the plurality of color blockson the reference color chart. The color information from the first imagedata may then be matched to corresponding color information from thesecond image data, and test results generated based on such matchingoperation.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will beapparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the followingdescription of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed incolor. Copies of this patent or patent application publication withcolor drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and paymentof the necessary fee.

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencecharacters identify correspondingly throughout, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A-1B depict various aspects of an all-in-one specimen cupconfigured according to the principles of the invention;

FIG. 1C depicts the all-in-one specimen cup of FIGS. 1A-1B beingprocessed by a urine sedimentation analyzer;

FIGS. 1D-1G depict additional aspects of a lid portion of the all-in-onespecimen cup of FIGS. 1A-1C, as configured in accordance with theprinciples of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2B depict one or more embodiments of a biological specimenanalyzer configured to implement one or more aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3B depict one embodiment of a process for performing one ormore aspects of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C depict images taken by a biological specimen analyzer usablein connection with the principles of the invention; and

FIG. 5 depicts a screenshot from a biological specimen analyzer showingvarious test results generated in accordance with the principles of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Overview of theDisclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to performing color-basedreaction testing of biological materials in an uncalibrated environment.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an all-in-onespecimen cup in which a biological material test strip (e.g., urine teststrip) is affixed to a side of the cup, together with anadjacently-located reference color chart, so as to enable the use of abiological specimen analyzer to perform color-based reaction testing ofsuch biological materials in an uncalibrated environment, i.e., usingthe same cup that was used to collect the biological sample.Specifically, a biological specimen analyzer may be used to capture oneor more images of the test strip and adjacently-located reference colorchart, both being affixed to a side of the cup.

The use of urine-type specimen cups can be used to treat numerousconditions and diseases. For example, kidney stone patients need tocontinuously monitor their pH levels. With this specimen cup, the pHstrip may be placed/affixed to the all-in-one cup so that patients caneasily determine their pH levels. Additionally, the all-in-one cup ofthe present disclosure can be used for early screening for diabetes.Patients concerned that they may be at risk for developing diabetes canuse the novel disclosed all-in-one cup to screen for glucose in theurine since glucose can be used as an early indicator that one may havediabetes. As an early screen tool, patients can monitor their urinedaily to see if they start to have glucose in the urine. If so, the testcan then recommend that the patient get a real diabetes test done attheir physician's office. Heretofore, performing such tests in the homewith any acceptable level of accuracy and convenience has not beenpossible.

In certain embodiments, the image data specifically representing theindividual test pads on the test strip, as well as the reference colorblocks on the reference chart, are then located within the capturedimage, such as by using an image processing algorithm executed, at leastin certain embodiments, by the biological specimen analyzer. Thereafter,the diagnostic client may compare the color data associated with each ofthe previously-located test pads with the corresponding color data forthe reference color blocks. Since each test pad will have an associatedtest-specific sequence of color blocks on the reference chart organizedin either a row or column, the color information for a given test padneed only be compared with its corresponding test-specific sequence ofcolor blocks on the reference chart.

The above comparison operation may be performed to identify any colormatches between the test pads and the corresponding sequences ofreference color block. In certain embodiment, this color matchingoperation may be performed using a Lab color space analysis.

In any event, based on this comparison operation, a set of test resultscan be generated which effectively identifies which of the referencechart's color blocks most closely matches the color of the correspondingdipstick's test pads. Since each of the reference color blocks areassociated with a particular test result (e.g., negative, positive, verypositive, etc.), the actual test result corresponding to the matchingcolor block may be readily determined, e.g., using a lookup table thatcorrelates particular color blocks with corresponding test results. Thegenerated test results may then be provided to the user in a printed ordisplayed form. Alternatively, the test results may simply be stored forlater retrieval.

In this fashion, the novel methodology of the invention enables a singleall-in-one specimen cup to be used for performing color-based reactiontesting of biological materials in an uncalibrated environment, unlikethe highly-calibrating conditions required by prior art systems. Thisadvancement in the technological arts is made possible, at least inpart, based on the fact that the color data associated with thereference color chart and the color data associated with the exposedtest strip are equally impacted by the specific camera used and thespecific ambient lighting conditions under which the data was collected.Therefore, the color data of the test strip is automatically normalizedagainst the reference to which it needs to be compared (i.e., thereference chart), thereby rendering calibration unnecessary. This, inturn, enables virtually any user device, whether general- orspecial-purpose, that is equipped with a camera to be used in performingwhat was previously only possible using expensive and highly calibratedequipment. This would allow for mobile and even remote testing ofbiological materials (for example in rural villages and such) to beperformed at both a low cost and with a higher accuracy and precisionthan manual inspection.

Additionally, the novel design of the all-in-one cup enables such testto be performed more conveniently by the patient themselves and/or moreefficiently by processing laboratories.

As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one.The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another”is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”are open ended (e.g., comprising). Reference throughout this document to“one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar termmeans that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner onone or more embodiments without limitation. The term “or” as used hereinis to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination.Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; Aand C; B and C; A, B and C”. An exception to this definition will occuronly when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are insome way inherently mutually exclusive.

In accordance with the practices of persons skilled in the art ofcomputer programming, the invention is described below with reference tooperations that are performed by a computer system or a like electronicsystem. Such operations are sometimes referred to as beingcomputer-executed. It will be appreciated that operations that aresymbolically represented include the manipulation by a processor, suchas a central processing unit, of electrical signals representing databits and the maintenance of data bits at memory locations, such as insystem memory, as well as other processing of signals. The memorylocations where data bits are maintained are physical locations thathave particular electrical, magnetic, optical, or organic propertiescorresponding to the data bits.

When implemented in software, the elements of the invention areessentially the processor-executable code segments to perform thenecessary tasks. The code segments can be stored in a “processorexecutable storage medium,” which includes any medium that can storeinformation. Examples of the processor executable storage mediumsinclude an electronic circuit, a semiconductor memory device, a ROM, aflash memory or other non-volatile memory, a floppy diskette, a CD-ROM,an optical disk, a hard disk, etc.

Finally, when a test pad is described herein as being an “exposed” testpad, it means that the test pad has been in contact with, or otherwiseexposed to either urine, blood, saliva, feces, sweat or any otherbiological materials.

Overview of All-in-One Specimen Cup

FIGS. 1A-1B depict an embodiment of an all-in-one specimen cup 100configured in accordance with the principles of the invention. Inparticular, the cup 100 includes a lid portion 105 and a containerportion 110. While the container portion 110 is shown as being in theshape of a cylindrical cup, it should equally be appreciated that thecontainer portion 110 may be any size or shape capable of receivingbiological samples.

The lid portion 105 is further shown as having a color-based reactiontest strip 125 affixed to a flat side 120 of the lid portion 105 of thecup 100. The test strip 125 may comprise one or more reagent test padsthat are chemically treated with a compound that is known to changecolor in the presence of particular reactants. The test strip 125 shouldpreferably be affixed to an inside surface of the lid portion 105 sothat it can be exposed to a biological specimen that is in the cup 100.

Additionally, a color reference chart 130 is shown as also being affixedto the flat side 120 and adjacent to the test strip 125. While thereference color chart 130 is shown as having multiple rows and columnsto accommodate running multiple tests on a single sample, in the eventthat only one test is to be performed on the collected specimen, thereference color chart 130 may only consist of a single strip ofreference colors. It should further be appreciated that the referencecolor chart 130 may be incorporated into the test strip 125 itself.

Although not shown, the lid portion 105 may also include a barcodeidentifying the particular test(s) for which the cup 100 was designed,i.e., the particular test for which the test strip 125 will test. Thebarcode may also, or alternatively, be used to identify the patient fromwhom the specimen was collected.

As shown, the lid portion 105 is attachable to the container portion110, and the lid portion 105 is configured to close securely around thetop edge of the container portion 110. When the cup 100 is sitting inthe upright position, such as on the surface 115 of FIG. 1A, anypreviously-collected biological specimen 135 will collect in thecontainer portion 110. Conversely, when the cup 100 is turned upsidedown, as shown in FIG. 1B, the previously-collected biological specimen135 will flow from the container portion 110, through an opening in thebase of the lid portion 105, and thereafter collect in the volume of thelid portion 105, as shown in FIG. 1B. The cup 100 is configured so thatthe test strip 125 is exposed to the biological specimen 135 when thecup 100 is turned from the upright position of FIG. 1A to the upsidedown position of FIG. 1B. In order to facilitate resting the cup 100 inthe upside down position, the top of the lid portion 105 may be flat.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, depicted is an embodiment of the all-in-onespecimen cup 100 as it is being processed by analyzing device 140, whichconfigured to also perform urine sedimentation analysis. As is generallyknown, urine sedimentation levels may be analyzed by microscopicinspection of the urine sample itself. Currently, two different devicesare required to perform both color-based reaction testing and urinesedimentation analysis. However, the novel configuration of theanalyzing device 140, in combination with the configuration of the cup100, makes it now possible to use a single device to perform both typesof testing, and in a more accurate and efficient manner.

In order to perform the dual color-based reaction testing and urinesedimentation analysis, the analyzing device 140 is equipped with anL-shaped probe 145 through which liquid may be withdrawn. The L-shapedprobe is configured to enter an aperture 150 arranged on a side of thelid portion 105 of the cup 100, as shown in FIG. 1C. The aperture 150should be sealed or otherwise configured to allow only one-way passagein order to prevent the collected biological sample from escaping. Forexample, the aperture 150 may comprise a rubber-type material affixedinto the side of the lid portion, which may itself be manufactured of aplastic or glass material. When the L-shaped probe 145 is configuredwith a sharp tip, such as a needle, the analyzing device 140 canmechanically operate the L-shape probe 145 to penetrate the aperture150, withdraw a portion of the collected sample, and then be withdrawnout of the aperture 150, all without allowing any of the collectedsample inside the lid portion 105 from escaping since the rubber-typematerial will naturally re-seal once the sharp end of the probe 145 iswithdrawn out of it. A traditional urine sedimentation analysis may thenbe performed on the withdrawn specimen.

Additionally, the analyzing device 140 is also equipped with a camera155, as shown in FIG. 1C. As will be explained in detail above, thecamera 155 is oriented and configured to capture an image of the lidportion 105 of the cup; in particular, of the exposed test strip (e.g.,test strip 125), together with an adjacently-located color referencechart (e.g., chart 130). The captured image may then be analyzed inaccordance with the teachings set forth below with reference to FIGS.4A-4C in order to carry out one or more color-based reaction tests onthe collected specimen.

Referring now to FIGS. 1D-1F, depicted are various views of an exemplarylid portion 105 of an all-in-one specimen cup configured in accordancewith the principles of the invention. With reference first to FIG. 1D,the lid portion 105 is configured with a lip 160 to form a liquid-tightseal with a container portion (e.g., container portion 110) of the cup100. In addition, a base of the lid portion 105 is equipped with anopening 165 to allow a collected specimen to pass from the containerportion into the lid portion 105 when the cup 100 is turned upside down,such as was shown in FIGS. 1A-1B above. While the opening 165 is shownas being crescent-shaped, it should be appreciated that the opening 165may have any number of other configurations and still perform itsintended function.

Referring now to FIG. 1E, the lid portion 105 may be usable inconnection with a cap 170, as opposed to the container portion 110 ofFIGS. 1A-1B. In this embodiment, a patient may provide a specimenthrough a larger version of opening 165 and directly into the lidportion 105 while it is in the upside down position, as shown in FIGS.1D and 1E. The cap 170 may then be placed over the opening and securedto the lid portion 105 using any known means, e.g., using threadslocated either on the inside or outside of the lip 160. Alternatively,the cap 170 may simply ‘snap’ into place over the lip 160. In thisfashion, the lid portion 105 may serve both the function of thecontainer portion 110 in that it receives the specimen directly from thepatient, as well as the function of exposing the test strip 125 to thereceived specimen. This arrangement may be more convenient since iteliminates the need for the separate container portion 110.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1F and 1G, an exemplary embodiment of a lidportion 105 of the all-in-one specimen cup 100 is shown. In particular,the lid portion 105 includes the above-described color-based reactiontest strip 125 affixed to a flat side 120. Additionally, a colorreference strip/chart 130 is shown as also being affixed to the flatside 120 and adjacent to the test strip 125. For simplicity, thereference color chart 130 in FIGS. 1F and 1G is shown as having only asingle row. However, it should be appreciated that the reference colorchart 130 would have multiple rows and columns when it is desirable toaccommodate running multiple tests on a single sample, such as shown inFIGS. 1A-1B and FIGS. 4A-4C. Of course, if only one test is to beperformed on the collected specimen, then it would be appropriate tohave only a reference color chart 130 with a single strip of referencecolors.

In addition to having the opening 165 described above, the embodiment ofthe lid portion 105 in FIGS. 1F and 1G also comprises a collecting ledge175 which may be used to more precisely direct the collected specimentowards the test strip 125 as the cup 100 is being turned upside down.As shown, the collecting ledge 175 is coupled to the flat side 120 ofthe lid portion 105. The collecting ledge 175 begins at an area adjacentto the test strip 125 along an inner surface of the flat side 120, andextends in a sloping manner radially inward to at least partially cover(extend across) the opening 165. In this fashion, when the lid portion105 is secured to a container portion (not shown) and is turned upsidedown, a collected specimen in the container portion will pass throughthe opening 165 under the force of gravity and immediately impact thecollecting ledge 175, which will in turn divert the specimen outwardlyalong its length and towards the test strip 125 disposed on the innersurface of the flat side 120, thereby ensuring that the test strip 125is properly exposed to the specimen. The collecting ledge 175 maysimilarly be used with embodiments of the lid portion 105 which utilizethe cap 170 of FIG. 1E.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict one or more embodiments of a biological specimenanalyzer 200 configured to implement one or more aspect of theinvention. The analyzer 200 may be any device configured to analyze thecolor-based test results on a test strip (e.g., test strip 125). Whilein the embodiment of FIG. 2B, the analyzer 200 is shown as being asmartphone-type device, the analyzer 200 may similarly be a dedicated,standalone analyzer, such as analyzer 140 of FIG. 1C.

In any event, the biological specimen analyzer 200 may include a display210, such as a liquid crystal display or any other known type of displayusable in connection with such an electronic user device. The analyzer200 may also include a user input 220, which may include one or morebuttons or keys in the form of a keypad, number pad, keyboard or anyother collection of individual keys, buttons or the like. In anotherembodiment, the user input 220 may be integrated with the display 210 inthe form of a touchscreen.

The analyzer 200 preferably also includes a processor 230 and a camera240. The camera 240 may be based on CCD technology or Complementarymetal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor technology, or based onany other known type of image-capturing technology.

Finally, the analyzer 200 is shown as having memory 250 which, amongother programs, software modules, data and operating system files,stores a diagnostic software client 260. When the client 260 is loadedfrom memory 250 and executed by processor 230, it performs one or moreaspects of the invention, as more fully detailed below with respect toFIGS. 3A-3B.

FIG. 2B depicts the specimen analyzer 200 in the form of asmartphone-type device in which display 210 functions as both a displayscreen, as well as a portion of the user input 220 by virtue of being atouchscreen.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, depicted is one embodiment of a process300 for carrying out one or more aspects of the invention. In certainembodiments, process 300 may be performed by a biological specimenanalyzing device, such as the analyzing device 140 of FIG. 1C oranalyzer 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B, although other electronic devices may besimilarly configured and programmed to perform the computer-implementedoperations of process 300. While process 300 may be applied in thecontext of urinalysis, it should equally be appreciated that process 300may be carried in the contexts of testing other biological materials aswell, such as blood, saliva, feces and sweat.

As shown in FIG. 3A, process 300 begins at block 310 with the diagnosticprogram (e.g., client 260) being initiated on the specimen analyzingdevice. Thereafter, at block 320 a test strip (e.g., test strip 125)would be exposed to a subject's biological specimen (e.g., urine). Inone embodiment, this may be accomplished by first having the patientprovide a urine specimen into a container portion (e.g., portion 110) ofan all-in-one cup (e.g., cup 100). A lid portion (e.g., portion 105) maythen be affixed to the container portion, and then the assembled cup maybe turned upside down, such as in the position shown in FIG. 1B. Onceturned upside down, the previously-collected biological specimen mayflow from the container portion, through an opening (e.g., opening 165)in the lid portion, and into the lid portion. In the lid portion, a teststrip (e.g., strip 125), with the help of an optional collecting ledge(e.g., ledge 175), may be exposed to the collected biological specimen.

In embodiment which utilize a cap (e.g., cap 170) rather than a separatecontainer portion, the operation of block 320 may simply comprise havingthe patient provide a specimen through directly into the base of the lidportion 105 (e.g., through opening 165) while it is in the upside downposition, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E above. As with theembodiment described above, as the specimen is provided directly intothe lid portion, the test strip may be exposed to the collectedbiological specimen. This may be accomplished with the help of theoptional collecting ledge (e.g., ledge 175). The cap may then be placedover the opening and secured to the lid portion using any known means.However, since the lid portion will already be in the upside downposition after the specimen has been provided, in this embodiment therewill be no need to turn the assembled cup (lid portion and cap) upsidedown.

In any event, the now-exposed test strip will have been affixed to aflat side (e.g., flat side 120) of the lid portion and in a positionadjacent to a reference color chart (e.g., reference chart 130), such asin the arrangement of FIGS. 1A-1B. Accordingly, at block 330 a singleimage of the test strip, together with the adjacently-located referencecolor chart, may be captured by the specimen analyzing device. It shouldbe appreciated that the device may be preferably equipped with a CCD orCMOS camera (e.g., camera 155 or 240) for use in capturing the image atblock 330. In an alternative embodiment, the test strip and referencecolor chart may be photographed at different times rather than as asingle image, so long as the ambient photographing conditions areessentially the same.

Moreover, it is preferably the case that the image capturing operationof FIG. 3A be performed in an uncalibrated environment, as would havebeen necessary with prior art systems requiring highly-calibratingconditions. As previously described, this advancement in thetechnological arts is made possible since the color data associated withthe reference color chart and the color data associated with the exposedtest strip are equally impacted by the specific camera used and thespecific ambient lighting conditions under which the data was collected.Therefore, the color data of the test strip is automatically normalizedagainst the reference to which it needs to be compared (i.e., thereference chart), thereby rendering calibration unnecessary.

Once the image data has been captured, process 300 continues to block340 of FIG. 3B where the captured image data may be processed. Namely,the image data specifically representing the individual test pads on theexposed test strip, as well as the reference color blocks on thereference chart, must be first located within the captured image by animage processing algorithm of the diagnostic client (block 340). As willbe described in more detail below with references to FIGS. 4A-4C, thismay be done using a template matching operation in which the capturedimage data may be compared against a reference in order to identifycommon patterns or features. Alternatively, a ‘shape location’algorithm, such as the ‘square algorithm’ included in the OpenCV (OpenSource Computer Vision) software package, may be used. In general terms,such ‘shape location’ or similar algorithms are based on analyzing imagedata for the occurrence of distinct edges or transitions as a way toidentify the position of specific features of interest. It should beappreciated, however, that other known image processing means may besimilarly used to locate the image data representing the individual testpads on the exposed test strip, as well as the reference color blocks onthe reference chart.

Once the operation of block 340 has been completed, process 300 may thencontinue to block 350 where an image data comparison operation iscarried out. In particular, the diagnostic program compares the colordata associated with each of the previously-located test pads with thesimilarly-located color data for the reference color blocks. Forexample, and as will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 4A-4C, each test pad will have an associated test-specificsequence of color blocks on the reference chart organized in either arow or column. This test-specific sequence of color blocks includes allof the possible different colors that the reagent on the test pad ischemically capable of producing when exposed to reactants. Therefore, agiven test pad need only be compared with this correspondingtest-specific sequence of color blocks.

The goal of this comparison operation is to identify color matchesbetween the test pads and the corresponding sequences of reference colorblock. This color matching operation comprises performing a color spaceanalysis on image data—the particularly-identified image data from block340 above. Although the RGB color space is typically what would be usedin such computer-implemented systems, another aspect of the invention isto rather use the Lab color space for performing the comparison ormatching operation of block 350. In the RGB color space, each pixel hasa ‘red’ component, a ‘green’ component, and a ‘blue’ component which,when mixed together, produces the colors we see on a computer screen. Incontrast, however, the Lab color space is a color-opponent space withdimension L for lightness, and dimensions a and b for the color-opponentdimensions.

Due to differences between the way computers analyze color data and theway the human eye processes colors, there are some circumstances inwhich computers may interpret the RGB color space differently than onewould expect. In the context of color-based reaction testing, inparticular, the inventor has found that using the Lab color space ratherthan the RGB color space produces more accurate results.

Based on the comparison operation of block 350, process 300 willgenerate a set of test results at block 360. That is, the comparisonoperation of block 350 will effectively identify which of the referencechart's color blocks most closely matches the color of the correspondingtest pads. Since each of the reference color blocks are associated witha particular test result (e.g., negative, positive, very positive,etc.), the test result corresponding to the matching color block may beeasily generated (block 360). By way of a non-limiting example, a lookuptable stored in memory (e.g., memory 250) that correlates particularcolor blocks with corresponding test results may be used. Thereafter,process 300 ends.

Additionally, however, once generated the test results may be providedto the user, and it should further be appreciated that such test resultsmay be provided in any form, including printed or displayed.Alternatively, the test results may simply be stored for laterretrieval.

In this fashion, the novel methodology of the invention enablescolor-based reaction testing of biological materials to be performed inan uncalibrated environment. This enables virtually any user device,whether general- or special-purpose, that is equipped with a camera tobe used in performing what was previously only possible using expensiveand highly calibrated equipment. This would allow for mobile and evenremote testing of biological materials (for example in rural villagesand such) to be performed at both a low cost and with higher levels ofaccuracy and precision than manual inspection.

It should further be appreciated that the uncalibrated image capturingoperation of block 330 above may be performed in any number of ways orenvironments.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, depicted is a one embodiment of a capturedimage 400, such as the captured image described above with reference toblock 330 of FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 4A, the exposed test strip 410(e.g., test strip 125) was positioned near the reference color chart 420(e.g., chart 130) and the combination of the two photographed togetherby a specimen analyzing device equipped with a camera (e.g., analyzingdevice 140 of FIG. 1C or analyzer 200 of FIGS. 2A-2B). While the exampleof FIGS. 4A-4C are not shown as being affixed to a side of a lid portion(e.g., portion 105) of an all-in-one cup, such as cup 100, it should beappreciated that all of the details set forth below are equallyapplicable to the test strip 125 and reference color chart 130 of FIGS.1A-1B, including how the individual test pads and reference colors arelocated and/or processed.

FIG. 4B depicts one embodiment of how the captured image 400 may then beprocessed to locate the image data corresponding to the individual testpads and reference color blocks, as described above with reference toblock 340 of FIG. 3A. In particular, and as shown in FIG. 4B, a shapelocation algorithm (see e.g., OpenCV) has been applied to the referencecolor chart 420. A black border has been added to each of the referencecolor blocks in order to enhance the algorithm's ability to detect theedges of the individual color backs of chart 420. The successfulidentification of a color block is reflected in each case by a ‘squaremarker,’ such as green square marker 430 a shown in FIG. 4B. While thisidentification data may be displayed to the user so that the user canverify that the reference color blocks have been properly identified, inother embodiments this operation may be a background process.

Referring to the test strip 410 now, rather than using a shape locationalgorithm, the individual test pads are located using a templatematching operation in which the captured image data corresponding to thetest strip 410 is directly compared against a reference image of a teststrip. With template matching, each pad is located based, at least inpart, on matching the captured image data of the test strip 410 to aknown pattern of a test strip and to interpolate the location ofindividual test pads based on expected position.

Once located, a representative area on each of the test pads may beidentified. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the color image datacontained within the area defined by square 430 b may be used as theimage data corresponding to the first pad of test strip 410. Similarly,areas within each of the subsequent test pads may be defined and used inthe color matching operation to follow (e.g., comparison operation ofblock 350 of FIG. 3B).

While FIG. 4B was described as having used template matching to locatethe test pads on test strip 410 and a shape location algorithm forlocating the color blocks of reference chart 420, it should equally beappreciated that either technique may be used in either case. Similarly,other known image processing means may also be used.

Once the locations of the individual test pads on the test strip 410have been located using either template matching, a shape locationalgorithm, etc., it may be preferable to average the color data withinthe defined area (e.g., square 430 b) so as to account for minor colorvariations from point-to-point. While the color blocks of the referencechart may similarly be averaged, it is less likely that there will besignificant color variation within the reference color blocks.

Referring now to FIG. 4C, depicted is one embodiment of how thecomparison operation, as described above with reference to block 350 ofFIG. 3B, may be performed. In particular, the color blocks of referencecolor chart 420 are shown as being grouped into separate color blocksequences 430 a-475 a. Correspondingly, the image data for each of theindividual test pads of the test strip 410 have been identified as testpad areas 430 b-475 b. As previously described, each test pad need onlybe compared with the corresponding color blocks that it is capable ofmatching. Moreover, since the reference chart 420 is organized intoindividual rows, where each row corresponds to the detection of aparticular substance or cellular material, each test pad area (430 b-475b) need only be compared with its corresponding color block sequence 430a-475 a. For example, the color data of test pad area 430 b would onlybe compared with each of the color blocks in sequence 430 a, the testpad area 435 b would only be compared with each of the color blocks insequence 435 a, and so forth.

As initially described above with reference to block 350, thiscomparison operation will result in identifying, for each test pad area(430 b-475 b), which of the reference chart's color blocks most closelymatches. Then, lookup operation may be performed to identify theparticular test result (e.g., negative, positive, very positive, etc.)that corresponds to that particular reference color block. For example,in the case of test pad area 430 b, the closest match was determined tobe color block 430 a-1. The known test results that correspond to thatcolor block would then be found in a table, stored in memory, etc.Additionally, and by way of example only, for test pad area 475 b theclosest match was determined to be color block 475 a-1. Again, the testresults (e.g., negative, positive, very positive, etc.) that correspondto color block 475 a-1 could then be looked up.

Again, it should be equally appreciated that the test strip 125 andreference color chart 130 of FIGS. 1A-1B may be similarly substituted infor the reference color charts and test strips described above withreference to FIGS. 4A-4C.

In any event, once the test result data has been obtained for each ofthe test pads, the results may be reported to the user in any number offormats. FIG. 5, for example, depicts one embodiment of a screenshot 500that may be displayed to a screen of a specimen analyzing devicesummarizing the results of the test associated with each of the testpads.

Rather than capturing a combined image with both the exposed test strip,as well as the reference color chart, photographs of a series ofreference color charts may be captured under varying ambient conditionsas an alternative way of implementing the invention. Such images may bestored for later comparison to exposed test strips.

By way of example, after an image of an exposed test strip has beencaptured, the ambient conditions under which that exposed test strip wascaptured may be determined and then compared to the varying ambientconditions under which the previously-stored reference color charts werecaptured. The stored reference chart that was taken under conditionsmost closely approximating those under which the exposed test strip wastaken would then be used for the image data comparison operation ofblock 350, as described above.

Various modification and adaptations to the above disclosure would beequally within the scope of the invention. For example, other knownimage processing means may be similarly used to mark the image datarepresenting the individual test pads on the exposed test strip, as wellas the reference color blocks on the reference chart. Also, rather thanindividual reference color blocks, a continuous color spectrum may beused so as to provide more precise test results.

It should further be appreciated that since all of the biologicalmaterial test results are automatically captured by the analyzing deviceitself, such data can be easily exported and/or manipulated. Forexample, it would be possible to e-mail test results directly topatients or other healthcare providers. Similarly, results may beuploaded directly to an online health information system, a laboratoryinformation system, or the like. Moreover, test results may be graphedover time so as be able to track patient health.

The ease of use, portability and calibration-independent nature of theinvention allows color-based reaction testing of biological materials,such as urine, to be performed even by the patients at home.

In one or more additional embodiments of the invention, principles ofthe invention may be extended to perform urine sedimentation analysis byattaching or integrating a microscope lens to the camera of the userdevice. The resulting image data may be similarly analyzed using themethodologies disclosed herein.

Overview of All-in-One Diaper

In another embodiment, color-based reaction testing of biologicalmaterials in an uncalibrated environment may be performed in connectionwith an all-in-one diaper test in which a biological material test strip(e.g., urine test strip) is affixed to a diaper, together with anadjacently-located reference color chart, so as to conveniently enablethe testing of an infant's urine using a highly accurate technique. Theuse of a diaper configured in accordance with the principles of theinvention can be used to detect dehydration in infants, for example, orany other known condition or disease which tends to manifest itself inan infant's urine or feces.

In certain embodiments, it may be preferable to design the all-in-onediaper for only a single test. In that case, the test strip wouldcomprise a single test pad treated with the appropriate reagent, and thereference color chart would be a color reference strip comprising all ofthe possible colors that the test pad may assume. Such a test pad andcolor reference strip may preferably be integrated into a single stripwhich may then be affixed to the inner lining of a diaper using anyknown means, so long as the test pad can contact and react with theinfant's urine or feces while being worn. Additionally, the test pad andreference color strip should be either removable from the diaper orvisible in the diaper, for purposes of capturing an image thereof.

In other embodiments, the test pad may be comprised of a series of testpads, each chemically treated to test for different conditions. In suchembodiments, the color reference strip would be a color reference chartwith a series of rows, each of which would contain a series of referencecolor blocks corresponding to the various test pads.

Regardless of whether a single or multiple specimen tests are to be run,an analyzing device (e.g., analyzer 200) may be used to performcolor-based reaction testing of an infant's biological specimen usingthe diaper itself, and in an uncalibrated environment, i.e., at home.For example, the above-mentioned analyzer 200 may be used to capture oneor more images of the test strip/pad and adjacently-located referencecolor chart/strip, both being affixed to the inside of a diaper, andthen processed in accordance with the process 300 of FIGS. 3A-3B andusing the same image processing principles set forth above with respectto FIGS. 4A-4C.

In this fashion, the novel methodology of the invention enables a singleall-in-one diaper test to be performed on an infant's urine or feces inan uncalibrated environment, unlike the highly-calibrating conditionsrequired by prior art systems. Additionally, the novel design of theall-in-one diaper enables such test to be conveniently performed withoutconcern of whether the diaper will absorb the entire urine sample, andin the comfort of the home.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art. Trademarks and copyrightsreferred to herein are the property of their respective owners.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for color-based reaction testing ofbiological materials comprising the acts of: capturing, by an electronicdevice using ambient lighting in an uncalibrated environment, digitalimage information of an exposed test strip and of a reference colorchart, wherein the digital image information of each of the exposed teststrip and the reference color chart is captured in the same uncalibratedenvironment, wherein the exposed test strip comprises a plurality oftest pads, and wherein further the reference color chart comprises aplurality of color blocks; locating, by a diagnostic softwareapplication that is executing on the electronic device, first image datawithin the digital image information corresponding to each of theplurality of test pads, said first image data having uncalibrated colorinformation; locating, by the diagnostic software application executingon the electronic device, second image data within the digital imagecorresponding to the plurality of color blocks on the reference colorchart, said second image data having uncalibrated color information;matching, by the diagnostic software application executing on theelectronic device, uncalibrated color information from the first imagedata to corresponding uncalibrated color information from the secondimage data, wherein said matching comprises comparing uncalibrated colorinformation corresponding to a first test pad of the plurality of testpads to uncalibrated color information from at least one of theplurality of color blocks on the reference color chart; generating, bythe diagnostic software application executing on the electronic device,test results based on said matching; and displaying, on a display screenof the electronic device, a graphical representation of the test resultsindicating an absence, presence and degree of presence of a reactantwithin the biological specimen.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinlocating first image data comprises applying, by the diagnostic softwareapplication executing on the electronic device, one of a shape locationalgorithm and a template matching operation to the first image data. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein locating second image data comprisesapplying, by the diagnostic software application executing on theelectronic device, one of the shape location algorithm and the templatematching operation to the second image data.
 24. The method of claim 21,further comprising averaging, by the diagnostic software applicationexecuting on the electronic device, color information across the firstimage data, and wherein matching the color information comprisesmatching the averaged color information for the first image data tocorresponding color information from the second image data.
 25. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the digital image information for each ofthe exposed test strip and the reference color chart is captured in asingle digital image.
 26. The method of claim 21, wherein the digitalimage information for each of the exposed test strip and the referencecolor chart is captured under the same ambient photographing conditions,but at different times.
 27. The method of claim 21, wherein matchingfurther comprises matching, by the diagnostic software applicationexecuting on the electronic device, color information from the firstimage data to corresponding color information from the second image databy performing Lab color space analysis on the color information from thefirst and second image data.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein theelectronic device is a mobile smartphone-type device.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the plurality of color blocks comprising the referencecolor chart are arranged in a plurality of test-specific sequences. 30.An electronic device comprising: a memory containingprocessor-executable instructions, including a diagnostic client forperforming color-based reaction testing of biological materials; and aprocessor electrically coupled to the memory, the processor configuredto execute the diagnostic client to: capture digital image informationof an exposed test strip and of a reference color chart, wherein thedigital image information of each of the exposed test strip and thereference color chart is captured in the same uncalibrated environment,wherein the exposed test strip comprises a plurality of test pads, andwherein further the reference color chart comprises a plurality of colorblocks, locate first image data within the digital image informationcorresponding to each of the plurality of test pads, said first imagedata having uncalibrated color information, locate second image datawithin the digital image information corresponding to each of theplurality of color blocks on the reference color chart, said secondimage data having uncalibrated color information, match uncalibratedcolor information from the first image data to correspondinguncalibrated color information from the second image data, wherein saidmatching comprises comparing uncalibrated color informationcorresponding to a first test pad of the plurality of test pads touncalibrated color information from at least one of the plurality ofcolor blocks on the reference color chart, generate test results basedon said matching, and display, on a display screen of the electronicdevice, a graphical representation of the test results indicating anabsence, presence and degree of presence of a reactant within thebiological specimen.
 31. The electronic device of claim 30, wherein theprocessor is further configured to execute the diagnostic client tolocate first image data by applying one of a shape location algorithmand a template matching operation to the first image data.
 32. Theelectronic device of claim 31, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the diagnostic client to locate second image databy applying one of the shape location algorithm and the templatematching operation to the second image data.
 33. The electronic deviceof claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to execute thediagnostic client to average color information across the first imagedata, and wherein the processor is further configured to execute thediagnostic client to match the averaged color information for the firstimage data to corresponding color information from the second imagedata.
 34. The electronic device of claim 30, wherein the processor isfurther configured to execute the diagnostic client to match colorinformation from the first image data to corresponding color informationfrom the second image data by performing Lab color space analysis on thecolor information from the first and second image data.
 35. Theelectronic device of claim 30, wherein the digital image information foreach of the exposed test strip and the reference color chart is capturedin a single digital image.
 36. The electronic device of claim 30,wherein the digital image information for each of the exposed test stripand the reference color chart is captured under the same ambientphotographing conditions, but at different times.
 37. The electronicdevice of claim 30, wherein the plurality of color blocks comprising thereference color chart are arranged in a plurality of test-specificsequences.
 38. A computer program product, comprising: a processorexecutable storage medium having processor executable code embodiedtherein to perform color-based reaction testing of biological materials,the processor executable storage medium having: processor executableprogram code to capture digital image information of an exposed teststrip and of a reference color chart, wherein the digital imageinformation of each of the exposed test strip and the reference colorchart is captured in the same uncalibrated environment, wherein theexposed test strip comprises a plurality of test pads, and whereinfurther the reference color chart comprises a plurality of color blocks,processor executable program code to locate first image data within thedigital image information corresponding to each of the plurality of testpads, said first image data having uncalibrated color information,processor executable program code to locate second image data within thedigital image information corresponding to each of the plurality ofcolor blocks on the reference color chart, said second image data havinguncalibrated color information, processor executable program code tomatch uncalibrated color information from the first image data tocorresponding uncalibrated color information from the second image data,wherein said matching comprises comparing uncalibrated color informationcorresponding to a first test pad of the plurality of test pads touncalibrated color information from at least one of the plurality ofcolor blocks on the reference color chart, processor executable programcode to generate test results based on said matching, and processorexecutable program code to display a graphical representation of thetest results indicating an absence, presence and degree of presence of areactant within the biological specimen.